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Abstract

We report on a theoretical investigation on the influence of different wavelength scale periodic grating architectures on dye sensitized solar cell (DSC). A broadband absorption enhancement is expected in such solar cells thanks to diffraction effects produced by these structures. Their optimal size has been analyzed in terms of pitch grating, height and position along the solar cell layers. Numerical simulations indicate that nanostructuring the interface between the active and the electrolyte layer by integrating a dielectric grating produces an absorption enhancement of 23.4%. The presented results have been also evaluated in view of feasible realistic structures compatible with low cost soft lithographic techniques.

Figures (5)

(a) A cross-section of the DSC model. The scheme is not in scale and without top and bottom macroscopic glass substrates. (b) Illustrative figure of the type of 1D rectangular grating structure. (c) Definition of the grating parameters: height and pitch.

Relative energy density confined in the dye-sensitized titania layer as a function of the height for a 500 nm pitch grating (a) and as a function of the pitch grating for a 300 nm grating height (b). Values are reported for different wavelengths (see labels in the figure).

(a) Absorption spectra of the active layer given by numerical simulation of the DSC with (red line-filled squares) and without grating (green line-open circles). (b) Difference in the absorption spectra with and without grating.